Curb hydrant



Dec., 25, 1962 T. c. JEsTl-:R

CURB HYDRANT Filed Jan. 29. 1958 1N VENTOR Th omas C. Jesfer 1%# if? WM//Af ATTORNEYS United States Patent iliee 33T/'tnt15 f CURB HYDRAN Thomas C. Jester, Williamsport, Ea., assigner to Darling Valve d.' Manufacturing Company, Williamsport, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyiyania Filed `lan. Z9, 1958, Ser. No. H1327 9 Claims. (Ci. 137-296) This invention relates to hydrants and particularly to a hydrant having an exterior free yfrom projections and which is also tamper proof.

The hydrants usually employed in city streets for providing a readily accessible water supply for rire fighting or other purposes embody one or more nozzles and caps associated with the nozzles which project outwardly from the hydrant body. In many instances the hydrants are very close to the curbing and these projections extend beyond the street curb lines. This often results in damage to vehicles. As a consequence municipalities having these hydrant conditions are plagued with yclaims for damages resulting from vehicles striking these projections.

Accordingly an object of this invention is to provide a hydrant construction in which there are no projecting nozzles or caps to aford opportunity for damage to vehicles or other objects even though the hydrant may be immediately adjacent the curbs.

The heretofore known hydrants also all embody an operating nut projecting above the top of the hydrant. These nuts can be turned with the average open end wrench of suitable size or with a monkey wrench. Further, the nozzle caps can be similarly removed with the same common wrench means. As a result the caps are very often stolen and the hydrants opened. Children are particularly apt `to open the hydrants in the summer months.

Another common problem encountered with the previously known hydrants is that they are often packed with objects which render them useless or damage them or at least interfere with their use. Children will remove the nozzle caps and till the hydrant barrel with sand, pebbles, etc., for example, and often even taire the caps as souvenirs.

ccordingly still another object of the instant invention is to provide a hydrant structure with which the theft of caps, unauthorized operation of the hydrant, and stuiiing of the hydrants with sand, etc. becomes a practical impossibility.

Another imculty experienced with hydrants is due to the intrusion of foreign material through natural causes, such as rain, snow and dirt, particularly after the cap is stolen. In northern areas the rain or snow may turn into ice. This is often apt to occur around the operating nut. Accordingly another object of the invention is to provide a hydrant structure wherein the iniiltiation of these foreign elements through natural causes is impossible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rccessed operating nut structure for hydrants wherein the operating nut is enclosed by the hydrant yet is still accessible -from the exterior.

It is also an object of the invention to provide recessed nut structure for the caps whereby the operation can be achieved by authorized personnel from the exterior in the usual fashion, but wherein unauthorized persons, such as children, will be frustrated in their attempts to remove the caps.

Further, an object of the invention is to provide an operating nut structure for hydrants accessible by authorized personnel from the exterior, but which is enclosed., together with means permanently attached to the hydrant surfaces 3d and 3d.

forming part of the enclosing means for yieldable to permit accessibility struc-ture.

Yet another object of te invention is to provide re- `cessed operating structure for the nut and the caps, a special wrench and nut type structure not readily availiable wherein the special wrench structure must be osea. to operate the hydrant or remove the caps.

A still further object of the invention is to pr resiliently positioned movable nut enclosing n labor movable `away 'rom the nut to provide accessibility the nut by a special wrench.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a hydrant having the usual thrust plate type construction cooperable with the operating nut but wherein the thrust plate structure operating nut and all means used for connecting the thrust plate, bearings, nut and barrel are fully enclosed within the hydrant and 'cannot be tampered with.

Gne other object of this invention is to provide a studl ing box cover which is independently removable for access to the nut and bearings.

These and other objects and advantages wiil become apparent from the following description and the ace-oni panying drawings in which:

FliURE l is a top plan View of a hydrant constructed in accordance with the invention showing the hydrant connected to a standpipe.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1.

FGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the use of an operating wrench constructed in accordance with the invention in opening the hydrant.

FGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of a hydant wrench constructed in accordance with the invention.

EGURE 6 is an elevational view of a cap.

FIGURE 7 is a view illustrating a modied form of cap.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a third form of cap.

Referring now particularly to the drawings: A hydrant constructed in accordance with the instant invention comprises a barrel The barrel seats on a base l2 at a point above ground level. The base l2 and barrel are provided with cooperating connecting rings ifi and lid. The ring 14 is seen to have a stepped horizontal surface providing two lianges 13 and 2li with the inner flange being a step below the outer flange. The barrel on the other hand has a pair of anges Z2 and 2d with the inner flange 22 projecting outwardly of the flange 2li. These flanges are made so that they will properly mate when assembled. Clamping ring structure consisting of clamp rings 2o, 28 are used to secure the base and barrel. A four section clamp ring assembled with nuts and bolts 3h is used. it is seen that the rings 14 and i6 are provided with tapering outer surfaces 34 and 36. The clamp ring 2d has inner tapering surfaces 38 and fill adapted to cooperate with the it is obvious that as the nuts and bolts are tightened the clamp ring is urged inwardly toward the base and in so doing the tapering surfaces result in a clamping of the barrel onto the base. Pressure tightness is insured by a gasket between rings Ji and Other known nuts may obviously be used instead of clamp ring joint described.

The barrel comprises an upper generally cylindri "l section lo and a lower section d8 also cylindrical bu 1- duced in cross section as compared with the section A pair of enlarged boss like portions Sil and 52 (see E 1l are formed integral with the barrel liti. Each of bosses provides a nozzle openinf.

the nut yet to the operating nut The nozzle structure enroule cooperating with each boss like portion is identical and accordingly only boss and its associated nozzle structure will be described.

The boss 5t) has a port opening 54 which is cored to provide a recess 56 to receive the nozzle 62 and cap 7i). The nozzle may either be screwed into place or leaded and caulked in place. The drawing shows the leaded and caulked construction. The nozzle has interior threads 68 instead of the heretofore used exterior threads. Nozzle cap 70 is received within the boss 50. The cap has threads 72 which cooperate with the threads 68 on the nozzle. The cap has a flange 74 which projects over the nozzle into close relationship with the cylindrical cored recess 56. Gaskets 76 and '7S insure water tightness.

The cap and nozzle is also readily distinguishable from the heretofore known constructions in that the cap does not have an exterior nut shaped projection for cooperation with a wrench. Instead the cap is seen to have a boss 80 recessed within the cap and forming therewith a channel 82. In the form illustrated in the drawing1 the boss is made in the shape of a triangle with curvilinear sides. The triangle, generally speaking, is of an isosceles shape, but this is not essential. Further the boss may take other shapes; it may for example be square or pentagonal. It should be noted that the boss in the illustrated form has sides of curvilinear shape such as 34, S6, 88 joined by fillets. Preferably curvilinear sides will be used with bosses having from two to four sides. With a pentagonal boss however straight sides would be provided. The channel in the form shown thus has a curvilinear inner wall and a circular outer wall. In all instances the outer wall of the channel is curvilinear although not necessarily circular. FIGURE 7 illustrates a form in which a two sided boss is used. Obviously other shapes may be used. The channel 82 is adapted to receive a wrench shaped construction formed complementarily to the boss 80. The special wrench construction used with the cap will be described hereinafter.

The hydrant further comprises an operating rod 9i). The rod extends through a thrust plate 92 and a bearing plate 94. An operating nut 96 cooperates with the operating rod to open and close the valve through rotation of the nut. The nut is received within a bearing 98 and the latter is in turn mounted within the recess 100 provided in the thrust plate and below the bearing plate. At upper end the operating7 nut has a grease opening 102 closed by a grease fitting 104.

The nut proper comprises a g-enerally cylindrical membut at its upper end it is provided with a nut like sion 106. The latter is formed similarly to the nut hoss 8@ of the cap 'Eil in that it has a configuration *ne general shape of an isosceles triangle but with the t the triangle being curvilinear instead of straight ined by fillet type portions. This is clearly RE l with the sides of the curvilinear ted at im and 112. -iy forming the prodentical in size and shape with is provided with a seat 114 which extends troni the exterior of the barrel and not outin the heretofore known constructions. Furhrust plate 92 seats on the seat 11d in spaced c 1 t2 providing a horizontal seal parallel to the seat nd the outer extremities of the box are formed to be coextensive with the outer extremities of the barrel at the seat Accordingly the bonnet ts on the seat 1li/.'- in nections between the thrust plate and the hydrant body obtained by means of the bolts 124 arev not subject to damage or removal by unwarranted persons. The bonnet 116 and barrel 1o form the exterior hydrant body or casing.

At its upper end the bonnet 116 is provided with a central opening 126. This opening is unique in that it tapers in a direction from its interior to its exterior such that the tapered opening is smaller at its exterior. This taper is indicated at 128. A mating tapered cover plate 131) which can be referred to as a cover ring has a tapered exterior surface 132 which is adapted to seat on the surface 128. The cover ring further is formed with an isosceles shaped curvilinear sided triangular opening having the sides 134, 136 and 138 formed complementarily to the sides of the triangular nut. The perimeter of the ring opening is closely adjacent the nut to prevent the passage of dirt, etc. ln practice the ring opening periphery slidably contacts the nut. The ring is thus capable of sliding movement along the nut. Due to the fact that the nut is formed with the triangular shaped extension projecting outwardly from the cylindrical barrel 149 of the nut itself there is formed three ilanges 142 at the bottom of the triangular shaped projection. The base 143 of the ring 130 overlaps these anges and thus the sliding movement of the ring 139 on the nut is limited in one direction by these flanges 142 and in the opposite direction by the tapered surface 132.

A resilient compression type spring 144 seats on the bearing plate 94 and bears against the ring 13) with the spring being loosely received on the nut. This spring urges the ring 130 to remain in the position illustrated in FEGURE 2. This is the closed or inoperative position. However, it is apparent that the ring can be pressed downwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 for access to the sides of the triangular shaped nut extension or projection 1%.

A special wrench construction comprising the boss 146 and handle 143 is necessary for operating the caps or nut of the instant hydrant. This wrench construction includes a central bore 151i formed complementarily to the isosceles curvilinear sided triangular projection 106 and .stud Si). The exterior of the wrench boss 152 is of a size to be received within the opening 126. Accordingly it is seen that the special wrench can be pressed against the ring 13@ and the spring forced downwardly for operation of the nut in the usual fashion. Further, the walls of the wrench boss 146 are formed so as to be received within the channel S2 for operation ofthecaps.

The resulting construction of the hydrant is such that the operating parts are completely enclosed, there are a minimum of projections, and further a special Wrench construction of a unique nature must be used to either remove the caps or operate the nut. Such special wrench construction is not available on the open market. The usual open ended or monkey type of machinist type wrenches would be of no avail in attempting to effect the operation of the hydrant. Thus a hydrant less likely to cause actionable damage to vehicles, etc., and less subject to damage or misuse is provided through my invention..

The fact that the wrench must have a socket formed complcrnentarily to the triangular shaped nut and the boss of the cap yet it must also have a Wall dimension comforrnable to that of the channel S2, and further it must be capable of extendinc through the opening 126 is another means of preventing improper use. According to the invention the opening 12d is made complementarily to the outer periphery of the channel 82. Thus, a wrench having a greater maximum thickness than a wrench receivable in channel 32 will not be satisfactory for operating the nut.

FTGURE 8 illustrates a form of the invention in which the outer channel wall has the same contiguration as the nut like boss. The operating nut and cooperating cover ring for this forni of the invention are similarly formed so that a single wrench can be used. Likewise the operating nut and cover ring preferably used with the cap of FIGURE 7 are formed so that a single Wrench can be used to operate the caps and operating nut.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention it will be apparent that many changes in deails and form can be made, and therefore I claim an exclusive right to all moditications and changes in form coming Within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hydrant, an exterior hydrant body, an operating nut, said exterior hydrant body having an opening therein, said nut being aligned with said opening, a sealing ring, said nut and said sealing ring being hush with the exterior of said body, said sealing ring being adapted to seat in said opening and cooperating with said nut to substantially close said opening, said sealing ring being movably mounted in said hydrant and being movable inwardly O said hydrant to provide access to said nut.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 including means resiliently retaining said sealing ring in normal seated position in said hydrant opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ring closely fits said operating nut and is slideable along said operating nut upon displacement inwardly of said body.

4. In a hydrant comprising a barrel, a bonnet mounted on one end of said barrel, said bonnet having an opening therein, a thrust plate supported on the end of said barrel within said bonnet, an operating rod mounted in said plate and extending into said barrel and bonnet, a nut supported on said plate and operatively engaging said rod, said nut extending upwardly from said plate and terminating within the opening in said bonnet, a sealing ring member, said member being adapted to seat on said bonnet and cooperating with said nut to close said opening, means resiliently retaining said member in seated position in said opening in the bonnet and said ring engaging said nut for sliding movement thereaiong against the action of said resilient means.

5. In a hydrant comprising a barrel, a bonnet mounted on one end of said barrel, said bonnet having an opening therein, a thrust plate supported on the end of said barrel within said bonnet, an operating rod mounted in said plate and extending into said barrel and bonnet, a nut supported on said plate and operatively engaging said rod, said nut extending upwardly from said plate and terminating Within the opening in said bonnet, a sealing ring slidably engageable with said nut and adapted to seat in the opening in said bonnet, said sealing ring and nut being positioned in said opening in substantially flush relationship with the exterior of said bonnet upon said sealing ring being seated in the opening, means resiliently retaining said ring in seated position in said bonnet, said ring being displaceable inwardly of said bonnet for accessibility to said nut to operate same, said resilient means being operable to urge said ring to its seated position.

6. In a hydrant comprising a barrel having an inwardly extending annular seat at its upper end, a thrust plate supported on said seat, a dome shaped bonnet mounted on said seat and secured to said plate, an operating rod mounted in said plate and extending into said barrel and bonnet, a nut supported in said plate and operatively engaging said rod, an inwardly extending boss provided in said barrel, a nozzle positioned in said boss within said barrel, a closure cap removably connected to said nozzle and completely positioned therein, said cap having a recess formed therein and a projection provided in said cap and extending upwardly from the bottom of said recess to facilitate the removal of the cap from said nozzle, said projection being formed with curvilinear sides, said nut having a conliguration complementary to said projection, a `wrench for cooperation with said projection and said nut, said wrench having an opening formed therein with the portions of the wrench defining said opening being compiementary to the configuration of said `boss and said nut.

7. In a hydrant comprising a barrel having an inwardly extending annular seat at its upper end, a thrust plate supported on said sea-t, a dome shaped bonnet mounted on said seat and secured to said plate, an operating rod mounted in said plate and extending into said barrel and bonnet, a nut supported in said plate and operatively engaging said rod, an inwardly extending boss provided in said barrel, a closure cap positioned within said inwardly extending boss, said cap having a recess formed therein, a projection provided in said recess with said projection and the portion of said cap defining said recess defining walls extending upwardly from said recess, with the sides of said projection `being curvilinear and said recess circular.

8. In a hydrant comprising a barrel having an inwardly extending annular seat at its upper end, a thrust plate supported on said seat, a dome shaped bonnet mounted on said seat and secured to said plate, an operating rod mounted in said plate and extending into said barrel and bonnet, a nut supported in said plate and operatively engaging said rod, an inwardly extending boss provided in said barrel, a nozzle positioned in said boss within said barrel, a closure cap removably connected to said nozzle `and completely positioned therein, said cap having a recess formed therein and a projection provided in said cap and extending upwardly from thebottom of said recess to facilitate the removal of the cap from said nozzle, said projection being formed with curvilinear sides.

9. In a hydrant construction embodying a barrel, a 'bonnet mounted on one end of said barrel, said barrel having a valve operating stem therein, said bonnet having a valve stem operating nut completely positioned therein, said barrel having a removable cap completely positioned therein, said cap having a boss provided therein, said nut and vboss each having a plurality of wrench engaging sides at least two of said sides Ibeing curvilinear throughout.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 114,361 Snyder et al May 2, 1871 284,950 Cuthbertson Sept. 11, 1883 430,081 Mellert June 10, 1890 492,227 ONeil Feb. 21, 1893 536,801 Gaghan Apr. 2, 1895 551,919 Brown Dec. 24, 1895 609,104 Kunz Aug. 16, 1898 1,044,336 Ballard Nov. l2, 1912 1,136,698 Mittinger Apr. 20, 1915 1,417,291 Allen May 23, 1922 1,486,707 Warner Mar. 11, 1924 2,338,023 Bugg Dec. 28, 1943 

